4033 AMH GRAN H5019.2

HJM 4033 - H AMD 847 ADOPTED 2-13-98

By Representative Grant

    Beginning on page 1, line 5, strike everything through "Washington." on page 2, line 11, and insert the following:

    "We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

    WHEREAS, The Bonneville Power Administration was initially created to provide low-cost power to rural areas, a tradition that it maintains today; and

    WHEREAS, The Bonneville Power Administration currently markets power generated by twenty-nine federal dams; and

    WHEREAS, The Pacific Northwest enjoys low electricity rates, thanks largely to the Bonneville Power Administration and the power generated by the federal dams; and

    WHEREAS, Those rates would be seriously jeopardized by the sale of the Bonneville Power Administration and the sale of the federal dams or the right to market the power generated by those dams; and

    WHEREAS, The sale of the Bonneville Power Administration and the sale of the federal dams or the right to market the power generated by those dams would threaten the long-standing relationship the Bonneville Power Administration has established with the Northwest's public utility districts and rural electric associations; and

    WHEREAS, The Bonneville Power Administration currently contributes a portion of its revenue to salmon restoration, and there is no guarantee those funds would be available if the Bonneville Power Administration is sold;

    NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the President and Congress agree not to sell the Bonneville Power Administration or the federal dams or the right to market the power generated by those dams, and to allow the Bonneville Power Administration to continue fulfilling its mission of providing low-cost power to the Pacific Northwest.

    BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable William J. Clinton, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington."

EFFECT:  Petitions the President and Congress to refrain from selling not only the BPA, but also the federal dams and the right to market the power generated by the federal dams.

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